Embracing God's Presence: The Journey to Kingdom Life

In our journey of faith, we must recognize that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, has allowed the flesh to remain with us even after we are born again. This is not a hindrance but an opportunity for growth, as we learn to align our minds with God's and take sides with the Holy Spirit against our self-life. The ultimate purpose of our gatherings is not merely to hear a good word but to encounter the presence of God. When we meet, our goal should be that people leave saying, "God was certainly among us." This is achieved not through eloquent speeches but through the manifestation of Christ in our lives.

The presence of Jesus transforms everything, as seen in the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus opened the scriptures to them, and their hearts burned within them. This is how we should approach the Bible, seeking not just knowledge but an encounter with Christ. The early Christians understood this, and despite facing trials and tribulations, they were encouraged because they knew these challenges were pathways to entering God's Kingdom, which is defined by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

We are called to pursue this Kingdom life diligently. It is not about earthly comforts or achievements but about living in righteousness, maintaining peace, and rejoicing in the Lord always. This is the rest that God promises us, a Sabbath rest that is available every day. As we embrace this life, we bring the presence of Christ into every meeting and interaction, not through our strength but through the Holy Spirit working in us. This is the life God desires for each of us, a life where His presence is evident, and His Kingdom is manifested through us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Purpose of Our Gatherings: Our meetings should aim for the presence of God to be felt among us, not just to deliver a good message. The true success of a gathering is when people leave saying, "God was certainly among us," which is achieved through the manifestation of Christ in our lives, not through eloquent speeches. [07:16]
• 2. The Role of the Flesh: God, in His wisdom, allows the flesh to remain with us after we are born again. This is not a hindrance but an opportunity for growth, as we learn to align our minds with God's and take sides with the Holy Spirit against our self-life. [02:39]
• 3. Encountering Christ in Scripture: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we should approach the Bible seeking an encounter with Christ, not just knowledge. When Jesus opens the scriptures to us, our hearts will burn within us, transforming our understanding and experience of God's Word. [14:19]
• 4. Trials as Pathways to the Kingdom: The early Christians were encouraged by trials because they knew these challenges were pathways to entering God's Kingdom, defined by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This perspective transforms how we view difficulties in our lives. [33:02]
• 5. Pursuing the Kingdom Life: We are called to pursue a life characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This is the rest God promises us, a Sabbath rest available every day, and as we embrace this life, we bring the presence of Christ into every meeting and interaction. [45:50]
  ** [45:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:21] - The Giver of Good
• [01:23] - Purpose of Our Meetings
• [02:39] - The Role of the Flesh
• [03:43] - Siding with the Holy Spirit
• [05:24] - God's Purpose in Meetings
• [06:37] - Prophesying and Conviction
• [07:52] - Meeting with Jesus
• [09:11] - Seeking God's Glory
• [10:19] - Crucified with Christ
• [12:19] - Presence of Jesus
• [14:19] - Encountering Christ in Scripture
• [17:06] - Faith and Scripture
• [19:49] - Personal Encounter with God
• [22:38] - Bringing Christ's Presence
• [25:13] - Trials and Encouragement
• [33:02] - Entering God's Kingdom
• [45:50] - Pursuing the Kingdom Life
• [54:18] - Rejoicing in the Lord

1. Romans 14:17 - "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
2. Luke 24:13-32 - The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
3. Hebrews 4:9-11 - "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience."

1. In Romans 14:17, what does Paul say the kingdom of God consists of, and how does this differ from earthly concerns? [45:23]
2. How did the presence of Jesus affect the disciples on the road to Emmaus, according to Luke 24:13-32? What was their reaction after Jesus opened the scriptures to them? [14:19]
3. According to Hebrews 4:9-11, what is the significance of the Sabbath-rest for believers, and how is it related to entering God's rest? [36:18]
4. In the sermon, what is described as the ultimate purpose of our gatherings, and how is this purpose achieved? [07:16]

1. How does the concept of the kingdom of God as described in Romans 14:17 challenge our typical understanding of success and fulfillment in life? [45:23]
2. What does the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus teach us about the importance of encountering Christ in scripture rather than just acquiring knowledge? [14:19]
3. How can the trials and tribulations mentioned in Acts 14:22 be seen as pathways to entering God's Kingdom, and what does this imply about the nature of Christian growth? [33:02]
4. What does it mean to bring the presence of Christ into our meetings and interactions, and how can this be practically manifested in our daily lives? [11:12]

1. Reflect on a recent gathering you attended. Did you feel the presence of God was among you? If not, what could have been done differently to invite His presence? [07:16]
2. How can you align your mind with God's and take sides with the Holy Spirit against your self-life in a specific area of your life this week? [02:39]
3. When reading the Bible, how can you shift your focus from seeking knowledge to seeking an encounter with Christ? What practical steps can you take to make this shift? [14:19]
4. Think of a current trial or challenge you are facing. How can you view this situation as a pathway to entering God's Kingdom, characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit? [33:02]
5. Identify one way you can pursue a life characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit this week. What specific action will you take to cultivate this Kingdom life? [45:50]
6. Consider a meeting or interaction you have planned this week. How can you intentionally bring the presence of Christ into that situation? [11:12]
7. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there any earthly comforts or achievements you are prioritizing over living in righteousness, peace, and joy? How can you adjust your priorities to align with God's Kingdom? [45:50]